On Aug. 31,the Everyone Eats program in Rutland handed out 250 meals in about a half hour at the The Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC).
VFFC is coordinating the statewide program in Rutland County, handling the distribution of up to 22,000 meals beginning Monday Aug. 31, and running through Dec. 18.
Meals will be prepared by independently-owned local restaurants including Ana’s Empanadas, The Rollin’ Rooster, Little Haveli, Bueno Burrito. After a successful first day, organizers are looking for additional restaurants to participate to help meet the need.
VFFC will distribute meals from its downtown Rutland facility every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4 – 6 p.m. VFFC is located at 251 West St. and is the site of the Winter Farmers Market.
Anyone who has been negatively impacted by Covid-19 is invited to pick up meals. Meals will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals may pick up meals for all members of their household and can request additional meals to deliver to up to three households. Organizations are invited to request and pick up meals in bulk to deliver to their clients.
VFFC is also coordinating the distribution of meals in towns outside of Rutland City working with town officials and local restaurants and organizations. They plan to distribute meals around the entirety of Rutland County and will publicize these distributions locally as they are scheduled.
Meals distributed via Everyone Eats will include ingredients from local farmers and producers. VFFC expects to spend $220,000 on meals over the full program timeline, providing much-needed support to struggling restaurants and producers.
Restaurants interested in participating can get in touch with Harry DiPrinzio at hdiprinzio@vermontfarmersfoodcenter.org. For more information on VFFC click here.
